She said she wanted a service that "meets present and future needs, including current unmet needs, for the children and families of south Wales, and is provided by skilled accountable professionals as close to the child's home as possible."

She said her decision had been made, "with particular reference to the long-term therapy, care and support for the child with neurological damage".

But Dr Lloyd said: "It does ignore the huge furore that's in Swansea and south Wales west.

"It ignores the wishes of thousands and it ignores the decisions of Swansea Community Health Council and Neath Port Talbot Community Health Council, who are the patients' voices, after all."

The emergency service will be based at the neurosurgery unit at Morriston Hospital in Swansea.